Surface segregation of phosphorus and its influence on the texture evolution of Si steel

Abstract

The control of texture is of utmost importance in electrical steels for improving their magnetic properties and there have been numerous studies on modifying the texture of the electrical steels. However, the effect of surface segregation on the texture development in electrical steels has not been clearly understood yet. In this research, the surface segregation of phosphorus in pure Fe and Si steel has been investigated, with particular emphasis on its effect on texture evolution. The specimens were subjected to various thermo-mechanical treatments consisting of hot rolling, cold rolling, and annealing. The microstructure and texture has been analyzed by Optical Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction Texture, and Electron Backscatter Diffraction. Phosphorus segregation amount has been analyzed by Glow Discharge Spectrometer. The relationship between the surface segregation and the texture development in pure Fe and Si steel will be discussed along with their magnetic properties.